Part 24: May 26 - May 28: Working for the Weekend

-Specialist-


Ms. Sofue: You'll also find a picture of the Great Pyramids, the pride of Egypt. It was said that these pyramids were built by slaves. However, upon excavation, attendance records of the workers were found, disproving that theory. Hohoho, I'd believed in the nobility of the ancient Egyptians since even before they found those records...Ancient remains are the real stars of history! Don't you all feel the romance that comes of looking back on ancient times? My older brother is just a boring old samurai with no interest in ancient civilizations. He looks like an idiot in that kabuto! This nemes is much more elegant! Hmm? You there! Mr. Hanamura! Don't start zoning out just because I changed the subject! Tell me how the theory that the pyramids were built by slaves was disproven!


Uh...Something about laborers?
Attendance logs.
Ms. Sofue: Impressive, Mr. Hanamura. You've got it. Yes, the theory was disproven after the attendance logs of the laborers were found. There are even notes listed as reasons for absence, such as "hangover!" If the labor was being done by slaves, they wouldn't have been allowed to take days off for things like that, would they? It seems that the long-prevailing theory was very different from the truth.
Thanks, Sanzo! I'll have to listen to the lectures more attentively...

-Heartbeat, Heartbreak-



> There's a note that reads, "I made this in my chemistry class. Try it out!" Obtained Royal Jelly. Your test scores may have made you more popular...

I think this is the last of the rewards for getting the best test score: secret admirers will leave a bunch of random recovery items in your shoe locker.


...Oh, I'm in charge of this bulletin board. I have to change what's posted up here every so often. I'm done with it today, though.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Junes grocery department...Yukiko brought you here.


Even eggs come in so many varieties...
Making dinner at the inn?
No! I'd never dream of it! I don't think my food's nearly good enough to serve to the guests.

> Despite saying so, Yukiko looks happy...

I was just thinking of practicing my cooking. Since I've decided to leave town...Eating out all the time is bad for you, right? So I'm going to get some practice while I can!
Good luck.
Thank you!

> Yukiko nodded happily...

Oh, yes. I was thinking that maybe you could taste-test my food sometime...
I want someone to eat it and let me know how it is. I thought I'd improve quicker that way. And knowing you, I'd get an honest opinion...
W-Will you...?
Count me in!
Really!? Thank you!

> Yukiko smiles happily...

When I obtained the power of Persona, I thought, "I can do it." I used to think I couldn't do anything on my own, but maybe I really can...I depended on others up until now, but from this point on, I want others to depend on me...
I'll do my best!

> You can sense Yukiko's iron will...


Now then, um...Where do they keep the lobsters?

> You helped Yukiko with her shopping and went home.

-Signs of Love-



> You tell Dojima about your night job.

What...? You're working part-time in the evenings?
Hey...I'm your guardian, you know? Do you think I'm going to allow you to do something like this?
Probably not.
Ha...You're an honest one. I have to give you some credit for mentioning this, considering how you expect me to react. Sheesh...All right, I'll allow it.
I believe you. It's better than having you sneaking out behind my back. But, even though this is a small town in the countryside, there's a lot of chances to get into trouble. Watch out. It's a promise. Got it?

After this, you have carte blanche to go out at night even when Dojima is home. In your face, authority!





> You busily cleaned the dark, silent hallways...



> You decided to pretend not to hear it and continue cleaning...



> You can hear bits and pieces of the conversation between the doctor and the nurse.

Doctor: ...After patrolling...the empty room...


Oho...You're cute. You're the student who started working here today, right? I'll show you something fun the next time you're here. I'll see you again.

> You finished your job and went home.



Doesn't seem like anyone's out today. Let's see if that girl with the love note has been by the shrine yet.



> You made sure there was no one around and called for the fox.

-Like A Dream Come True-





> It's probably worried about the outcome...You told the fox that you granted the wish written on the ema.

*howl*

> The fox looks exuberant.



> If rumors of the shrine's benevolence spread, more people may come to make offerings...

*howl*

> You can sense the fox's gratitude.



> Since your relationship with the fox has grown stronger, it will give you a discount on its services inside the TV. You passed some time with the fox...It's getting late. You decided to go home.

-Signs of Love-

The azure sigil has quickened. The stars are right. Let the reaping commence.




We've got veggies! Do you think we can grow more?

> Harvested 3 Tiny Soul Tomato. What seedling will you plant?

Let's see what Return Daikons look like this time.


I'm excited!

I wanted to go wash some dishes or see something fun with cougar nurses, but Adachi turned up unexpectedly again. His schedule is really erratic, so I tend to make Jester a priority.

-Sky Full of Stars-


I'm so exhausted from work...I had to talk to that old lady again. I'm hungry...

> Adachi doesn't seem to have eaten dinner yet...

(Invite Adachi over)
Huh? What?
Oh, I guess we talked about that the other day. Umm...
Yeah, why not. I hear you're quite the cook.

> You headed to the Dojima residence with Adachi...

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Dojima residence, living room...You brought Adachi here for dinner.


Today, we're having shoe!
Shoe? Oh, you mean stew?
Yeah, shoe...Stew!
Hey, you did it.
Do you like stew, Adachi-san?
Hmm, yeah, kind of.
Kind of?
I mean...yeah, I do like it. It's been a while since I had some. So do you cook like this all the time? I bet Dojima-san tells you all the time what a great help you are!
Nope.
I knew it. He's probably just embarrassed.

> Adachi smiles...

So I heard you were moving back in the spring. I bet Dojima-san is going to cry!
......

> Nanako is looking down sadly...

Uh, sorry, sorry. That's still a long way away!
Yeah...
Umm...Hey, Nanako, have you ever seen this trick?

> Adachi produced a 500-yen coin...







> The 500-yen coin disappeared!

What!? How!? Why!? Again! Do it again!
Nah, this time I'll show you an even better one!
Look in your big bro's pocket.


Wow! You're the best, Adachi-san!
That was a surprise.
I'm pretty good with my hands, so it comes easy to me.

> Adachi seems relieved that Nanako is smiling again...

Maybe I should have been a magician. Then I wouldn't be in such a--Uh...well. I guess there's no job like a government job. It's not like I can make a living working with my hands.

> Adachi shrugs...


That's smelling pretty good. I think the shoe's about ready.
It's STEW!
Shiatsu?
SHOE!
WRONG!
No, I said it right!

> The three of you spent a fun evening together...



> You overhear students talking.


Athletic girl: The one on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday? You really love those kinds of shows, don't you, Michi? I remember that you said you bought a really flashy, skimpy bathing suit last time...When are you ever going to wear it?
Girl with red umbrella: Oh, I'll wear it...When the time is right.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> You helped out at the day care center.


Boy: You suck!
Yuuta: I dare you to say that again!
Boy: Yuu-kun's gonna get us! Run, everyone!

> Yuuta chases his friends as his face turns red.


Yuuta: ...When is he coming back?
Hmm? You mean your father...? Hmmmm...I don't know yet.
Yuuta: ...I'm going home with Ryu-kun.


I guess he wants to see his father.
Probably.
I mean...even if he goes home, he'll be alone with me, right?
I'm just a stranger who barged into his life six months ago, so...I feel a bit sorry for him.

> Eri is smiling wryly...

My husband kind of set me up...He only told me he had a child right before we got married...
How the hell did he hide it?
...But I thought he was the one for me, so I figured the three of us would be able to work it all out. Then, right after we got married, he was sent to China on business. He keeps in contact with me, but...It doesn't change the fact that he's not here.
Do you love your husband?
Huh...? I don't know...When I married him, I thought he was the one...But I'm not so sure anymore. Even so...That's no reason to get a divorce, right?

> Eri sounds pretty emotionally detached from the situation...

Maybe I rushed into marriage too quickly. When he told me I wouldn't have to work, I thought it'd be a good idea, but...
Oh! Don't tell my husband, okay?

> Eri is smiling...But you can't tell if it's genuine.


I wonder if Yuuta's home by now...I'd better be going now, too.

> You finished your job and went home.

Sounds like the Minamis had quite the whirlwind romance. I'm picturing a man on the sidewalk shouting across the street: "You there--woman! Let's get married, eh, what about it!?"



-Smile-


Shu's mother: I'm sorry, he's just a shy boy. But he's so smart, you know? He got the highest score in his class on his last test, and the teacher--
Mom!...E-Enough of that. We're going to study now, so get out.
Shu's mother: Oh, of course, dear. I don't want to bother you while you're learning. But still...Sanzo-kun, was it? I hear Yasogami High's scores are starting to climb up there. Shu's already in his second year of middle school, so we need to start thinking of applying to high schools. Well, knowing him, I'm not worried about getting into a good school. But, when it's time for college...
Mom! That's enough, I said...!
Shu's mother: Oh, my. I guess you're right. Well, then, Sanzo-kun, please make sure you teach him well. Study hard, Shu-chan, okay?


Let me tell you up front: I have no intention of attending Yasogami High. The cram school I was going to wasn't that good, so I decided I needed to switch to private tutoring. You were the only one available, so...If I think you're inadequate, I'll have you replaced immediately. Remember that.



It's tempting.

...Of course I'm concerned. I'd rather not waste time introducing myself to a stream of prospective tutors...Then, what should we start with? I don't have any subjects that I'm particularly bad at.

> You feel confident that you should teach him:

(P.E.)
...That's not funny.
"GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS, NERD: DODGEBALL TIME!"

> Shu fixes you with an icy glare, but you ignore it.



> He grasps concepts quickly. He answers the problems you have for him in no time at all. You worked hard in explaining the subject to him in an easy-to-understand manner.


You were a good tutor. It was easy for me to understand what you were talking about.
...I'm sure my natural intelligence had something to do with that as well, of course. You're more than welcome to come again whenever you have the time. I'll keep working at my own pace, as well. So, uh...Please come teach me again.

> You were accepted as a new tutor. You have become acquaintances with Shu Nakajima, the snooty tutoring pupil.

-Strength of Heart-





The Tower signifies upheaval, release, revelation, and humbling.

Goodbye.